Hanwood Rural Fire Brigade has taken up pro-recycling as a form of fundraising, in efforts to raise money to build a new gym for volunteers.
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In an effort to ensure volunteers remain healthy and hydrated at fire scenes, the brigade provides disposable bottles of water at incidents and fire grounds.
The brigade recently started to use the NSW Return & Earn system to recycle water bottles used at incidents, after a dedicated volunteer realised that it would be a good way to provide some extra funding throughout the year.
Along with recycling the bottles used at scenes, members of the brigade bring in empty containers from home to be used for the station's efforts.
Just recently, in an effort to fundraise for a new gym inside the station, the brigade has appealed to the community to put forth their containers and bottles as well.
Brigade captain Adam Bertolissi explained that the gym was part of an emphasis on cardio that the station was starting.
"We're encouraging cardio in the brigade, and we've got people training to be 'arduous firefighters'. That will mean they can work away from the truck, really get out and extinguish," he explained.
He explained that they estimated the cost of the gym to be between $1500 and $2000 in total, but they'd received equipment donations from the community.
"By the time we get it built and installed, we think it'll be $1500 or two grand. We buy little bits and pieces as we go, and some people have given us equipment to get us started, so it'll go to updating it."
He added that other upgrades were future projects including upgrading the training room and improving the outdoor training facility.
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This year was the perfect time to start emphasising the environmentally-friendly fundraising, and Capt Bertolissi explained why.
"It's good for the environment, and it's a COVID safe fundraiser as well. It's good for so many reasons," he said.
"It's going to be a continuous thing, we have pods in the station now for bottles and cans. We're all volunteers, so it's about managing how much time they put in - it's a way that raises money without burnout," he added.
"It's a good way the community can support the brigade without having to volunteer, as well."
Residents can donate their empty bottles and cans to the brigade simply by leaving a bag over the fence at the station, as well as contacting the station to come and pick up large amounts.
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